NFL

Jekyll-and-Hyde Jets could be playoff contenders

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)

Here's a stunner: The New York Jets would be in the playoffs if
the regular season ended today.

Yes, those Jets. The group many thought would struggle to come
close to last year's total of six wins. The team that some ranked
at the bottom of the NFL entering the season.

As unlikely as it seemed a few months ago, or even just a few
days ago, Rex Ryan's bunch has made a firm statement as it heads
into the bye-week break. These Jets don't plan on going away
anytime soon.

''At the end of the day, we're not worried about what people
expected of us,'' defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson said. ''We
know what we're capable of doing as a team and as an
organization.''

In the up-and-down world that is the Jets' season, opinions
continue to fluctuate on whether this team could be a serious
playoff contender. But after a surprising 26-20 win over New
Orleans on Sunday, the question might be: Why not?

After all, they're 5-4 and currently hold the No. 6 spot in the
AFC playoff picture.

''People didn't really expect a whole lot out of us this year,''
tight end Konrad Reuland said. ''I think the only people who did
expect a lot out of us was ourselves.''

That underdog approach has suited the Jets well over the years
under Ryan - who has evolved from a brash and boastful coach. He
has toned down the bravado and his once must-see news conferences
are now a balanced mix of football talk, coach speak, entertaining
self-deprecation and a few well-timed yucks.

Behind closed doors and away from the cameras, Ryan's confidence
- in himself and his players - has never wavered.

In the past, Ryan might have swung at the softball of a question
when asked if he feels validated that the Jets have been proving
their critics wrong. The ''new Rex'' isn't taking the bait these
days.

''I don't think that way,'' he said. ''I don't know if it's a
normal way of thinking or not. To me, it's like what is the
challenge in front of you, and that's it. When I told you guys this
year when I came back that I'm just treating it like it's a new
beginning, that's how I've treated this from Day 1. Like it's just
full speed ahead.

''I'm not looking down the road. I'm looking at what's right in
front of me, like this is what we have to get done,'' he said.

At their best, the Jets have been fueled by a stingy defense and
persistent running game, helping make up for the flaws of rookie
quarterback Geno Smith, who has also made some game-winning plays
with both his arm and his legs. New York has shown all that in
impressive wins over teams such as Atlanta, New England and New
Orleans.

At their worst, they're a mistake-prone group - led by an
up-and-down Smith - that hardly resembles a playoff-caliber team,
as shown in the 49-9 loss at Cincinnati last week.

Win one, lose one. That's the trend so far, without fail.

The Jekyll-and-Hyde Jets are tough to figure out from one week
to the next, but the fact they're nine games into the season with
very real postseason aspirations is one of the league's most
stunning developments.

''I wouldn't say it's a surprise to any of us in the building,''
a defiant general manager John Idzik said.

The Jets and owner Woody Johnson defied all logic in the
offseason when they opted to fire GM Mike Tannenbaum, but retained
Ryan. It's not the way most NFL teams operate, but it certainly set
up this so-far unpredictable start by the Jets.

They're still defying logic. And now, they seek consistency.

New York's last seven opponents have a combined 22-28 record,
including Miami (4-4), whom the Jets play twice in December. Only
one of those teams has a winning record: Carolina, at 5-3.

''Right now, we're 5-4, we have seven games ahead of us and we
have to prepare our butts off for them,'' Smith said. ''We all know
about the playoffs and we want to put ourselves in the best
position possible, so we've got to continue to prepare and just get
better.''

Idzik wouldn't speculate on Ryan's future beyond this season,
but praised the coach's ability to make things work, from his
coaching staff to a roster that is constantly being shuffled
because of injuries to key players.

''Rex has pulled it all together,'' Idzik said. ''He's our
leader.''

The GM also wouldn't commit to Smith as the Jets' long-term
solution at quarterback. Idzik insists the team needs to be
''living in the moment,'' and for the Jets, they're feeling pretty
good right now.

But, far from satisfied.

''In this league, if you have a feeling of contentment or
complacency, you're at risk,'' Idzik said. ''And we're not going to
have that feeling in this building.''

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